Our species count (46) for the visit included: swallow, goldfinch, housemartin, jackdaw, rook, blackbird, herring gull, lesser black backed gull, eider duck, black headed gull, oystercatcher, great black backed gull, yellow wagtail, curlew, sandwich tern, house sparrow, mute swan, rock dove, feral pigeon, 
“In order to see birds, it is necessary to become a part of the silence." ― Robert Lynd
Sunday, 4 September 2011
West Kilbride/Seamill/Portencross :: 15-30 August 2011
On our holidays with family in Scotland we took the opportunity to walk along the beaches at Seamill and Portencross looking for birds. Often little walking was needed as they just passed by us. A few different birds to our usual set with being at the coast and a first for sandwich tern. May have seen them before, but unknowingly! We managed to get our best ever view of peregrine falcon while playing golf - unfortunately the species count roughly totaled each of my 9 hole scores. Must try harder.
Brandon Marshes :: 07 August 2011
Another visit to Brandon Marshes, again a threat of rain and a shower on the way up past Southam. As always, we started with coffee in the Badger Tea Room ... delicious. Still few changes and migration is not not yet obvious. Large numbers of whitethroat are still in evidence. No sign of the kingfisher this time but we still saw linnet, sandpipers and stock dove.
The total species count totaled 34 including: woodpigeon, feral pigeon, great tit, great-spotted woodpecker, blue tit, greenfinch, chaffinch, robin, magpie, carrion crow, collared dove, swallow, moorhen, mute swan, canada goose, mallard, 
Our favourite was again a whitethroat, this one hiding in the brambles.
Monday, 11 July 2011
Brandon Marshes :: 10 July 2011
Starting with lunch in the "Badger Tea Room"; this time in addition to wife and two children we also had the youngest's best friend. It had been quite a few weeks since our last visit and the landscape had changed considerably with the many wild flowers dominating the vista. The profusion of baby rabbits had not changed though; the more trusting (stupid) ones letting us get within a few feet to watch at close quarters. The girls loved that.
The afternoon went along un-remarkably until we got to the Carlton Hide. There the crowds had gathered to watch the kingfisher parade around the various vantage points. Significant lens were pointed and triggers pulled with sharp repetitive bursts of shutter actuations filling the air. As a finale we watched a green sandpiper feed in the shallows right in front of the hide. On the right-hand edge of the pool significant numbers of reed warblers sped along the reeds, occasionally accompanied by the odd linnet.
Our species count for the afternoon totaled 40, including: blue tit, great tit, reed bunting, bullfinch, magpie, feral pigeon, chaffinch, collared dove, swallow, house martin, woodpigeon, carrion crow, robin, blackbird, greenfinch, buzzard, grey heron, mallard, lapwing, oystercatcher, greylag goose, common tern, coot, black headed gull, tufted duck, canada goose, cormorant, ringed plover, starling,
little ringed plover, teal, great crested grebe, moorhen, lesser black backed gull, mute swan, whitethroat, linnet, kingfisher, green sandpiper and pheasant.
Our favourite of the day though has to be the kingfisher; from the numbers in the Carlton Hide, we were not alone.
The afternoon went along un-remarkably until we got to the Carlton Hide. There the crowds had gathered to watch the kingfisher parade around the various vantage points. Significant lens were pointed and triggers pulled with sharp repetitive bursts of shutter actuations filling the air. As a finale we watched a green sandpiper feed in the shallows right in front of the hide. On the right-hand edge of the pool significant numbers of reed warblers sped along the reeds, occasionally accompanied by the odd linnet.
Our species count for the afternoon totaled 40, including: blue tit, great tit, reed bunting, bullfinch, magpie, feral pigeon, chaffinch, collared dove, swallow, house martin, woodpigeon, carrion crow, robin, blackbird, greenfinch, buzzard, grey heron, mallard, lapwing, oystercatcher, greylag goose, common tern, coot, black headed gull, tufted duck, canada goose, cormorant, ringed plover, starling,
little ringed plover, teal, great crested grebe, moorhen, lesser black backed gull, mute swan, whitethroat, linnet, kingfisher, green sandpiper and pheasant.Our favourite of the day though has to be the kingfisher; from the numbers in the Carlton Hide, we were not alone.
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Brandon Marsh :: 28 May 2011
A blustery day which was forecast to have rain showers throughout the afternoon. After an early lunch we set off for an afternoon on the reserve; rain on the journey up made us worry that we might end up just having a coffee in the tea room. We needn't have worried as the sun broke through the clouds as soon as we got onto the paths and didn't leave us all afternoon. In fact we got a bit hot in our waterproof tops.
There were significant numbers of juvenile great and blue tits at the reserve feeders being chased by two squirrels having their fill. A good number of rabbits also populated the paths.
Again, there were whitethroats everywhere. Every bush seemed to have some; their songs singing through the wind (reducing to breeze as the afternoon wore on). We came across one guy who had spent 2hrs in the same spot watching a pair of whitethroats who were showing well and had shots where you could virtually identify the insects in their beaks. Passing views of linnet were also good.
Our species for the day numbered 37 and included: great tit, feral pigeon, chaffinch, great-spotted woodpecker, reed bunting, bullfinch, blue tit, magpie, swallow, blackbird, woodpigeon, greylag goose, mallard, canada goose,
carrion crow, linnet, swift, jay, whitethroat, tufted duck, grey heron, lapwing, coot, black-headed gull, cormorant, redshank, ringed plover, pied wagtail, common tern, sand martin, mute swan, stock dove, great-crested grebe, moorhen, robin, oystercatcher and willow warbler.
Our favourite of the day was the jay who seemed to have found rather a lot of new berries on a nearby tree.
There were significant numbers of juvenile great and blue tits at the reserve feeders being chased by two squirrels having their fill. A good number of rabbits also populated the paths.
Again, there were whitethroats everywhere. Every bush seemed to have some; their songs singing through the wind (reducing to breeze as the afternoon wore on). We came across one guy who had spent 2hrs in the same spot watching a pair of whitethroats who were showing well and had shots where you could virtually identify the insects in their beaks. Passing views of linnet were also good.
Our species for the day numbered 37 and included: great tit, feral pigeon, chaffinch, great-spotted woodpecker, reed bunting, bullfinch, blue tit, magpie, swallow, blackbird, woodpigeon, greylag goose, mallard, canada goose,
carrion crow, linnet, swift, jay, whitethroat, tufted duck, grey heron, lapwing, coot, black-headed gull, cormorant, redshank, ringed plover, pied wagtail, common tern, sand martin, mute swan, stock dove, great-crested grebe, moorhen, robin, oystercatcher and willow warbler.Our favourite of the day was the jay who seemed to have found rather a lot of new berries on a nearby tree.
Sunday, 22 May 2011
RSPB Middleton Lakes :: 22 May 2011
RSPB Middleton Lakes is the latest RSPB nature reserve to open to the public. Last weekend it opened officially and this weekend it was hosting a Bird Fair. Since the RSPB acquired the site in 2007, they have developed the lakes, reedbeds, meadows and woodlands make it one of the best birdwatching sites in the area. Still they need more funding to install hides, bridges and a visitor centre. Still a good place to visit, even as it is.
An hour up the M40/M42 saw us arrive at 10:20, doors having opened at 10:00; we took the last parking space in the Middleton Hall courtyard. After a quick look around we located the RSPB Marquee and booked ourselves onto the 11:00 guided walk.
Our walk was scheduled for 2 hrs and aimed to introduce all of the established habitats. Immediately beside the RSPB car park there is a "play" meadow where kids can run, crawl, climb in the tree, jump and paddle in the ponds. From here you progress along a 700m trail through an ancient woodland. From here you can then choose left ot right: to the right is the meadow trail, home to English Longhorn cattle and an abundance of wild flowers; to the left a wetland trail (the "wilderness") which meanders through reedbeds, lakes and at times alongside the River Tame.
As a large group we were rather conspicuous and not likey to see much before it saw (or heard) us. We did manage to see a few birds, particularly a huge
number of swifts, swallow and martins. Our species total on the walk numbered 26, including: swallow, woodpigeon, jackdaw, grey heron, carrion crow, tufted duck, whitethroat, coot, black-headed gull, mallard, housemartin, mute swan, blue tit, oystercatcher, sandmartin, swift, pied wagtail, great-crested grebe, shelduck, canada goose, chaffinch, robin, gadwall, lapwing, blackbird, and cormorant.
A quick lunch in Middleton Hall (tasty sausage and egg bap!) and a tour round the various Bird Fair stalls and marquees took us to the end of our visit. It won't be long until we come back to tour at our own speed, without a large entourage in tow.
An hour up the M40/M42 saw us arrive at 10:20, doors having opened at 10:00; we took the last parking space in the Middleton Hall courtyard. After a quick look around we located the RSPB Marquee and booked ourselves onto the 11:00 guided walk.
Our walk was scheduled for 2 hrs and aimed to introduce all of the established habitats. Immediately beside the RSPB car park there is a "play" meadow where kids can run, crawl, climb in the tree, jump and paddle in the ponds. From here you progress along a 700m trail through an ancient woodland. From here you can then choose left ot right: to the right is the meadow trail, home to English Longhorn cattle and an abundance of wild flowers; to the left a wetland trail (the "wilderness") which meanders through reedbeds, lakes and at times alongside the River Tame.
As a large group we were rather conspicuous and not likey to see much before it saw (or heard) us. We did manage to see a few birds, particularly a huge
number of swifts, swallow and martins. Our species total on the walk numbered 26, including: swallow, woodpigeon, jackdaw, grey heron, carrion crow, tufted duck, whitethroat, coot, black-headed gull, mallard, housemartin, mute swan, blue tit, oystercatcher, sandmartin, swift, pied wagtail, great-crested grebe, shelduck, canada goose, chaffinch, robin, gadwall, lapwing, blackbird, and cormorant.A quick lunch in Middleton Hall (tasty sausage and egg bap!) and a tour round the various Bird Fair stalls and marquees took us to the end of our visit. It won't be long until we come back to tour at our own speed, without a large entourage in tow.
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Somerford Keynes, Cotswold Water Park :: 01 May 2011
Not really a day out birdwatching but instead lunch with family. Great to be having lunch and looking out over the water just along from the Cotswold Water Park; watching the coots with their young, moorhen, housemartin, swallows, canada geese, mute swans, mallard, black headed gull, carrion crow, blue tit, goldfinch, blackbirds, starlings and song thrush. 
A pair of binocs and a camera to hand we relaxed and took in the view. Then onto the water landed rather an odd looking duck which on later review turned out to be red-crested pochard. In the skies we also spotted a pair of birds which from the photos turned out be hobby. Two new species in one day.
Out for a walk after a delicious lunch and we came across a mallard family, then tufted ducks, great crested grebe, common tern, wood pigeon, dunnock, sedge warbler and this time a pair of red-crested pochard.
A great way to spend the day and still get in a little birding.
A pair of binocs and a camera to hand we relaxed and took in the view. Then onto the water landed rather an odd looking duck which on later review turned out to be red-crested pochard. In the skies we also spotted a pair of birds which from the photos turned out be hobby. Two new species in one day.Out for a walk after a delicious lunch and we came across a mallard family, then tufted ducks, great crested grebe, common tern, wood pigeon, dunnock, sedge warbler and this time a pair of red-crested pochard.
A great way to spend the day and still get in a little birding.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Brandon Marsh :: 21 April 2011
Back to Brandon Marshes for what promised to be a stunning day. Forecasts for the Easter weekend looked more like mid-summer than mid-spring; I expect we will pay for it later.
With the family and parents we arrived in time for a spot of early lunch and then onto the trails. It was evident that there were significantly fewer ducks on the site than in any of our previous visits this year. However, the arrival of the common terns was a welcome sight, as was the common sandpiper. The numbers of ringed and little ringed plover had increased significantly and gave a fluid movement of birds from area to area (ably supported by the swallows feeding over the water).
Warbler numbers seem to be growing as we came across first sedge and then cetti's warbler. This was soon followed by a large number of whitethroat, spread right across the reserve and showing well.
Highlights for the kids though were the squirrel, rabbits out in the open and three friendly mice who seemed quite unconcerned even when granny took a call on her mobile!
Our sightings for the day totalled 41, reduced from our last visit due to the absence of ducks, snipe and buzzards. They included: great tit, mallard, great-spotted woodpecker, blue tit , chaffinch, bullfinch, swallow, reed bunting, robin, magpie, pied wagtail, greylag goose, carrion crow, canada goose, coot, mute swan, cormorant, great crested grebe, lapwing, common tern, teal, gadwall, wigeon, ringed plover,
tufted duck, black headed gull, common gull, oystercatcher, common sandpiper, little ringed plover, sedge warbler, cetti's warbler, blackbird, feral pigeon, greenfinch, goldfinch, whitethroat, moorhen.
Our birds of the day had to be the whitethroats who darted around and never stopped chattering.
With the family and parents we arrived in time for a spot of early lunch and then onto the trails. It was evident that there were significantly fewer ducks on the site than in any of our previous visits this year. However, the arrival of the common terns was a welcome sight, as was the common sandpiper. The numbers of ringed and little ringed plover had increased significantly and gave a fluid movement of birds from area to area (ably supported by the swallows feeding over the water).
Warbler numbers seem to be growing as we came across first sedge and then cetti's warbler. This was soon followed by a large number of whitethroat, spread right across the reserve and showing well.
Highlights for the kids though were the squirrel, rabbits out in the open and three friendly mice who seemed quite unconcerned even when granny took a call on her mobile!
Our sightings for the day totalled 41, reduced from our last visit due to the absence of ducks, snipe and buzzards. They included: great tit, mallard, great-spotted woodpecker, blue tit , chaffinch, bullfinch, swallow, reed bunting, robin, magpie, pied wagtail, greylag goose, carrion crow, canada goose, coot, mute swan, cormorant, great crested grebe, lapwing, common tern, teal, gadwall, wigeon, ringed plover,
tufted duck, black headed gull, common gull, oystercatcher, common sandpiper, little ringed plover, sedge warbler, cetti's warbler, blackbird, feral pigeon, greenfinch, goldfinch, whitethroat, moorhen. Our birds of the day had to be the whitethroats who darted around and never stopped chattering.
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